An absolutely hilarious, well-plotted comedy with huge thematic heart in dealing with the pressures and costs of high...
A wacky, comedic retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde starring a perfectionist eighth-grader.
Intelligent, mature, responsible Jaclyn Hyde’s the kind of go-getter who overloads herself in an attempt to maintain her ridiculously high personal standards and buries any evidence of perceived failures in a little box. But when she multitasks a little too hard and her pet rabbit escapes, she and her friends chase it right into the local haunted house, which once belonged to a mad scientist—and there, she finds a formula for a Perfection Potion. Of course, she tries it, creating a monstrous alter ego that glories in slapstick chaos, wanton destruction, and enthusiastic sabotage, all done in the service of making Jaclyn look perfect. With the help of her two best friends, journalist Fatima and athlete Paige, both also in the know, Jaclyn struggles to contain evil Jackie at school while searching for a cure. Heightening the stakes before the big finish are an over-the-top evil principal in the vein of Miss Trunchbull of Matilda—impossible to please and quick to rage—and the big school musical’s opening night. The story’s kept funny by humorous sequences and jokes that seem like throwaway gags only to come back with impact. With racial and physical descriptors largely absent, most characters are presumably white (if Fatima is Muslim, she does not wear hijab).
An absolutely hilarious, well-plotted comedy with huge thematic heart in dealing with the pressures and costs of high expectations. (Science fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: May 7, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-267145-5
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 5, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2019
Minor perils and likable characters make for a cozy and enjoyable read.
McCullough, who was a Morris YA Debut Award finalist for Blood Water Paint (2018), draws inspiration from her hometown of Seattle in her middle-grade debut.
On the surface, Sutton and Luis could not be more different. Sutton is a logic-ruled robot coder with a passion for hard science while Luis is a fantasy writer who uses his pen to go on adventures that his allergies prevent him from undertaking in real life. Both are from single-parent homes, and when their parents’ nascent romance grows serious, they are thrust together. Their first encounter is a bit of a bust as Sutton and Luis struggle to build rapport, but determined to give one another a second chance, the families decide on a hike. When the children are accidentally separated from the adults, they must learn to work together despite their differences in order to make it to their rendezvous point safely, in the process learning to confront problems and think with empathy and creativity. With chapters switching narrative focus between the two protagonists, their inner turmoil is handled with sensitivity, creating a character-driven tale that doesn’t skimp on plot. While Luis’ issues with severe allergies are explicit, Sutton’s struggles with emotional expression and sensory overload are never given a name, though they are likely to resonate with readers on the autism spectrum. Luis is mixed-race Latinx and white, Sutton is white, and the supporting cast includes Asian and LGBTQ friends and neighbors. The notable representation of female characters in diverse STEM fields is heartening.
Minor perils and likable characters make for a cozy and enjoyable read. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: April 14, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3849-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Dec. 17, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2020
A vividly told narrative.
Award winner Brosgol’s latest is a wish-fulfillment tale that follows Oliver Bakh, a long-haired fifth grade boy whose life is upended.
After Oliver’s father, a cook who emigrated from the country of Georgia, passes away, Oliver and his mom, who presents white, bounce around among relatives’ homes. Financially strained and emotionally overwhelmed, Oliver’s mother falls into a deep depression, leaving him to take on responsibilities far beyond his years. Just when things seem hopeless, their luck takes an unexpected turn: Oliver’s 96-year-old great-aunt Barb dies, leaving them her Manhattan apartment. Oliver and his father dreamed of opening a restaurant together, one built around their love of traditional Georgian food. Now Oliver has cherished memories, his dad’s recipe book, and a small, frozen batch of his special khinkali, or dumplings. Their new home comes with a magical mail slot that communicates via typewritten notes and grants wishes, but each wish comes with unpredictable consequences. Oliver’s wishes are small at first, but as he navigates the competitive environment of his new private school and befriends Colette, a spirited fourth grader who’s eager for adventure, his wishes grow bolder. With each one, the consequences spiral further out of control. The story’s playful yet darkly humorous tone is enhanced by black-and-white illustrations that add depth and meaning to the fantastical elements. The absurd situations, unexpected twists, and colorful, exaggerated villain add to the tale’s appeal.
A vividly told narrative. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781250292186
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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